Improvement in dredging-buckets



T. -SYM'0NDS.

Dredging-Buckets. I No.150,372. P atented April 28, i874.

NITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE THOMAS SYMOIIDS, OF CAMDEN, NETVV JERSEY.

iMPROVEMENT IN DREDGlNG-BUCKETS- Specification forming part of LettersPatent No. 1 50,372, datcd April 28, 1874; application filed March 10,1874.

To all whom tt may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS SYMONDS, of

of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inDredging Apparatus, of which the following is a specification: f

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation of myapparatus. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a verticalcross-section of the same.

. My invention'consists in the employment of a cylinder provided with apiston and piston.- rod connected directly to the cross-head that isattached to the two sections of the dredgin g-bucket, said piston beingoperated through suitable ports by steam, compressed air, or any othersuitable power. The object of my invention is to furnish a dredgingapparatus that is more powerful than any heretofore used, and also toovercome the tendency to rise from the object to be dredged for, andwhich all dredging-buckets operated by chains have heretofore done whenclosing. Another object is that my dredging apparatus can be opened andclosed any nu mbcr of times without changin g its position when on .thebottom, and that it will cut and work its way deeper each time until thebucket is full, and this without raising the apparatus by the chains. Bythis in dependent power for opening and closing the bucket a free use ofthe chains is obtained, to hold it in any position desired, and allow itto swing to either side of the dredge for dumping, while in all dredgersnow in use only one side can be used without loss of time to changeposition of poles, chains, &c.

In the drawing, A represents the cylinder provided with ports a b, bywhich the steam or compressed air is admitted and exhausted. The steamor air is admitted through port a,

, to force down the piston and to raise it through two jaws of thedredging-bucket by pivoted levers G G, which are attached to the outerends of said jaws, andby which they are opened and closed. ihe steam orair is admitted through any suitable pipes'from above the water andconnected to the boiler or other apparatus furnishing the power. 1

I do not wish to confine myself to the,precise construction of thedevice shown-and described, as the attachments to the buckets, &c., maybe varied as well as the cylinder itself; but

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. Thecombination of a dredging-bucket an d a steam or air cylinder withsuitable levers,

'substantiallyas shown and described.

2. The combination of a dredging-bucket, a steam or air cylinder, A,having ports a 1), piston c, and rod 0, connected to cross-head 13, withthe lovers G G, all constructed and operated as shown, and for thepurpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto setmy hand this6th day of March, ism.

THOMAS SYMONDS. Witnesses:

GEORGE O. Fonns, WILLIAM A. WANsLEBEN.

